Japanese architect Tadao Ando‘s strong desire to to encourage people to take more time to dream has led to the creation of a sculptural furniture piece called Dream Chair. The chair is designed by Tadao Ando in collaboration with Carl Hansen & Son as a tribute to the renowned mid-century Danish furniture designer Hans Wegner.
The chair is made of three-dimensional plywood and with this material, Tadao Ando and the cabinetmakers at Carl Hansen & Son pushed the size and curvature of the plywood sheet in order to achieve the necessary characteristics of a chair, attaining a result beyond what was thought to be possible. It is available in oak and walnut with or without upholstered front in leather or fabric and an adjustable neck cushion.
The Dream Chair seeks to express the same harmonious, minimalist expression typical of Wegner’s design. Tadao Ando explains, “I have been an admirer of Wegner’s craftsmanship for many years. This collaboration with Carl Hansen & Son made it possible for me to create a piece of furniture from the ground up with the help of a team of skilled professionals. This was new to me, as in the past I have been used to only selecting furniture for the buildings I have created over the years.”
“Tadao Ando was given free rein for this project. We did not in any way want to limit this creator’s freedom to produce something great and different. The result speaks for itself. This is the work of a master. Together we have challenged – and possibly reached – the limits of what is possible to achieve with plywood. Tadao Ando has succeeded in producing a unique chair that visually and technically challenges our perception of a lounge chair,” says Knud Erik Hansen, CEO of Carl Hansen & Son.
The Dream Chair’s almost floating expression naturally attracts attention. A sculptural piece of art, the Dream Chair is apt for larger rooms providing a comfortable sitting experience while inviting a relaxed reflection.